Athletic insole



, Jan. 26, 1937. T. K. BALASKAS ATHLETIC INSOLE Filed April 25, 1955 Patented Jan. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI'QE Application April 25,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a combined pad and arch support especially designed for use in shoes worn by athletes while playing soft ball games such as basket ball, tennis, hand ball or the like.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will firmly support the arch or weakened instep and at the same time will provide a cushion for the foot, eliminating tired feet by insuring a perfect balance of the heel and arch of the foot.

A further object of the invention is to provide a support of this character which forms a part of the insole of the shoe, to the end that the support will be held in its proper position at all times, and will not become displaced after the insole has been positioned and adjusted for use within the shoe.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of an insole equipped with cushioning devices or pads constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, and illustrating the insole as positioned in a shoe.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the insole comprises a body portion indicated by the reference character 5, and as shown this body portion is formed with a laterally extended wing 6 disposed adjacent to the instep portion of the insole.

'This wing 6 is so designed that it will extend an appreciable distance above the sole of the shoe, and will lie in close engagement with the upper of the shoe, the edge of the wing portion 5 being skived so that an abrupt edge or shoulder, at the point of contact between the wing and upper of the shoe, is avoided. This wing also provides a support for the foot at the instep portion of the upper, and since athletic shoes usually worn while playing soft ball games, are constructed of canvas material, a support of this character not only lends comfort to the foot of the wearer, but at the same time provides a support for a weakened instep.

Secured to the bottom of the insole and shaped view taken on line 3-3 of 1935, Serial No. 18,237 (Cl. 36--71) to conform to the shape of the wing 6, is a cushion or pad 1, which is constructed of soft or sponge rubber.

The cushion or pad T is thick at its central portion where it contacts with the instep of the foot, and tapers off to the edges of the cushion or pad.

The edges of this pad or cushio-n l, are skived so that at the points of contact with the shoe and insole 5, smooth thin surfaces are provided, t0 the end that ridges or shoulders which would render the insole uncomfortable, are eliminated.

As clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawing, the pad or cushion 'I extends across the instep of the insole, where it meets the heel support which is in the form of a cushion or pad indicated by the reference character 8, the cushion or pad being also constructed of soft spongy rubber material.

This member 8 is substantially thick at its rear edge and tapers towards the pad 1. The member 8 has its rear edge curved to conform to the heel portion of the instep, the cushion or pad 8 being skived along its front edge so that no enlargements are present at the point of contact bctween the members 6 and 8, thereby rendering the insole exceptionally comfortable.

It is of course understood that these cushioning members or pads are secured in position on the bottom of the insole by cement or similar adhesive material, to the end that the insole with its pads or cushioning devices may be readily positioned by persons unfamiliar with the art of manufacturing shoes.

When insoles such as described have been positioned in shoes it will be seen that the instep of the wearer will not only be braced but the heel and arch of the foot within the shoe will be held in perfect balance, eliminating tired feet.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

An insole for soft shoes, comprising a body portion shaped to t within a shoe, a laterally and upwardly extended wing section extending from the shank portion of the body portion, a cushioning device embodying a heel section and an 'mstep supporting section constructed of soft rubber material, said heel section being thick at its rear edge and tapered to a feather like front edge, said instep section being thick at its central portion and tapered towards its edges elevating the body portion at the shank and heel portions thereof, the tapered rear edge of said instep section smoothly abutting the forward tapered edge of the heel section.

THOMAS K. BALASKAS. 

